Knock knock, who's there? It's the history of London's most interesting doors

Knock knock, who's there? It's the history of London's most interesting doors By Maddy Fletcher For You Magazine Published: 08:01, 19 October 2024 | Updated: 08:01, 19 October 2024 e-mail View comments There is a door to a residential home in East London that is designed like a sofa. It’s white leather and padded. You have to wonder how useful it is from a sound perspective, says Cath Harries.

That padding is so thick that visitors must surely stand outside knocking pointlessly for hours. Harries, 54, is the photographer behind a new book, Doors of London . She began the project almost by accident.

In 2010, while working on a book about the best pubs in the capital, she found herself frequently drawn to – as well as photographing – their front doors. After a while she was ‘obsessed’, travelling to areas she would never normally visit just to go door hunting. (Deptford, apparently, has excellent doors.

) From left to right: a striking art deco sunburst in Forest Gate; a fanlight flourish in Marylebone; avian pane motifs draw the eye to Old Swan House, which has overlooked the Thames from Chelsea Embankment since 1876 Often, Harries would revisit her favourites again and again to take more photos. ‘I’d think, “I know I’ve got [a picture] but I’m just going to have another look.” Because sometimes there would be a different flower outside, or a bike on the street – and if the light’s nice then I just can’t help myself!’ After nine years, having accum.